darf

Darf is the third-person singular present tense form of the German modal verb dürfen, meaning to be allowed to or may. It expresses permission or allowance, and can also indicate a sense of possibility under rules or norms. In sentiment and nuance, darf often marks what is permitted rather than what is certain or required.

Usage and examples

Darf is typically used with another verb in its infinitive. In declarative sentences: Er darf heute Abend länger bleiben. In questions: Darf ich hereinkommen? In prohibitions: Du darfst hier nicht rauchen. For formal or written style, alternatives such as Es ist erlaubt, hier zu parken convey permission without using dürfen directly. In polite requests, the question form Darf ich...? is common.

Conjugation

Present: ich darf, du darfst, er darf, wir dürfen, ihr dürft, sie dürfen. Simple past (Präteritum): ich durfte, du durftest, er durfte, wir durften, ihr durftet, sie durften. Perfect tense is formed with haben and the past participle gedurft, as in Ich habe das schon lange tun dürfen.

Notes

Dürfen contrasts with können (ability), sollen (obligation or expectation), müssen (necessity), and mögen (desire or possibility). The modal meaning of dürfen is closely tied to social norms and authority—permissions granted or withheld by persons in charge, laws, or conventions. In everyday German, darf is a common, versatile form for asking for or granting permission, and its use is typically straightforward in both spoken and written language.

Etymology

Dürfen originates from historic Germanic roots and appears in Old High German as durfen, with the modern form dür­fen developing in the standard language over time. It has cognates in related West Germanic languages and is part of the broader system of German modal verbs.